Early free kick nets winning goal for Blues

Gresham pressures the net throughout the second half, but cant find the equalizer

St. Marys found the net in the early stages of play Wednesday night when Karen Myers looped a free kick in front of the goal, and teammate Kathleen McIntyre was first to get a foot on it, sending it into the far corner for a 1-0 lead.

Gresham spent the next hour sending a flurry of attacks the other direction, but nothing got past the keeper allowing the Blues to leave with the victory.

I was pleased with our work rate tonight, Gresham coach Kathy Childress said. We created a lot of scoring opportunities, but we just didnt make it happen.

The Gophers best chance in the first half came on Staci Tatums corner kick, which deflected off a pair of heads in front of the goal. But the ball went over the cross bar and got trapped in the netting above the frame.

Greshams best opportunity in the second half came with Tatum setting up for a free kick near the top of the 18-yard box dead-center with the goal. Tatum hammered a blast that cleared a four-person wall of bouncing defenders only to curve about a foot wide of the far post.

St. Marys freshman Tyler Chase recorded the shutout in her first varsity start, filling in for regular starter Nesha Eaton, who missed the game with the flu.

Look for expanded coverage in the Friday, Oct. 12, edition of The Outlook.